The Jacobite Revolts - a chronology of the events leading up to the battle of Culloden 1701 12 June Act of Settlement passed by Parliament, ensured that if William III and Princess Anne (later Queen Anne) should die without heirs, the succession to the throne should pass to Sophia of Hanover, granddaughter of James I, and to her heirs, if they were Protestants. The house of Hanover, which ruled Great Britain from 1714, owes its claim to this act. 6 Sept Death of the deposed James II. Louis XIV of France recognises his son as James III, later known as the 'Old Pretender' . 1708 23 March A French naval squadron attempted unsuccessfully to land the Old Pretender on the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh . 1715 6 Sept Start of 'the Fifteen'. Following the accession of King George I, a Jacobite rebellion started in Braemar in Scotland. The Scottish Jacobites were defeated at the Battle of Sheriffmuir . A Scottish and English Jacobite force was defeated near Preston in northwest England.

22 Dec The Old Pretender lands at Peterhead in northeast Scotland, joining Jacobites at Perth before returning to France on 4 Feb 1716. 1722 24 Sept The Atterbury Plot. The Bishop of Rochester, Francis Atterbury, a Jacobite leader was arrested and later exiled. 1745 23 July Start of the 'Forty-Five'. Prince Charles Edward, son of James and also known as the 'Young Pretender' (pictured below), landed on Eriskay Island off the west coast of Scotland. 19 Aug With support from some of the Catholic MacDonalds, Charles 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' was able to gather his men at Glenfinnan. There the standard was raised and his father was proclaimed King James III and VIII. 4 Dec Jacobites reach Derby, just 150 miles from London. Due to lack of support Lord George Murray and the other chiefs advise Charles to return to Scotland and wait for French help. 18 Dec Arguably the last 'battle' to take place on English soil, the Clifton Moor Skirmish saw the retreating Jacobites meet the Duke of Cumberland's forces at Clifton in Penrith.

Twelve Jacobites and fourteen of the Duke's men were killed, with the English being buried in the Clifton churchyard and the Scots under an oak tree (known locally as the Rebel Tree), where a plaque still remains. 1746 17 Jan Back in Scotland the Jacobites fail to capture Stirling Castle, but then defeat General Henry Hawley's army at the Battle of Falkirk Muir . 18 Feb Withdrawing ever further north, the Jacobites capture Inverness. They stay there for 2 months. Meanwhile a government army, led by the king's younger son, Prince William Duke of Cumberland, was catching them up. 16 April Against the advice of his chiefs, Charles lined up the Jacobite army - hungry and tired - on the flat moor of Culloden . It was to be the last major battle fought on British soil. In less than an hour Cumberland's cannon destroyed the military threat of Jacobitism. 20 Sept Charles fled Culloden Moor with a reward of £30,000 on his head and after many adventures, he eventually escaped on a ship to France. 1766 Death of the Old Pretender.

1788 Battle of Culloden (1746) | Jacobite Rebllions (1689-1746) | Battlefields of Britain Battlefields of Britain Jacobite Rebellions (1689-1746) BATTLE OF CULLODEN (1746) The final Jacobite rebellion came to a bloody end at the Battle of Culloden. Having successfully advanced as far south as Derby, Prince Charles Stuart had been pursued north by the forces of the Duke of Cumberland. Resolved to fight, the Prince overruled his Council of War but saw his army butchered when the terrain defused the Highland charge. Skip to > Historical Background On 5 November 1688, William of Orange landed an army at Brixham starting a popular uprising against the Catholic James VII (II of England) that resulted in his overthrow. Dubbed the Glorious Revolution William and his wife, Mary Stuart (daughter of James VII), were invited to become joint monarchs subject to constitutional limitations. Protestant England embraced the new monarchs but reaction in Scotland to the new regime was mixed.

Although the Scottish Government supported William and Mary, amongst both Protestant and Catholic circles there was reluctance to displace the Stuart dynasty which had ruled Scotland for over 300 years. In April 1689 the first Jacobite rebellion ignited led by John Graham, Viscount Dundee. Supported by Irish troops and Highland clans he had military success at the Battle of Killiecrankie but was killed in the effort. A number of further skirmishes were fought but the uprising was ultimately defused when on 27 August 1691 the Government offered a general amnesty to any clans who had participated in the uprising provided they took an oath of allegiance. The associated massacre of Glencoe in February 1692 did much harm to this attempted reconciliation. William died in 1702 (Mary had died in 1694) and was succeeded by Anne, another daughter of James VII. Her reign saw the Act of Union (1707) merging the Governments of England and Scotland whilst the Act of Settlement (1701) formally barred any Catholic from the throne – both measures were opposed by many Highland clans.

So to was the succession in 1714 of the first of the Hanoverian monarchs, George I, whose eligibility came from descent from Elizabeth Stuart, a daughter of James VI. Discontent turned into war in 1715 with a new Jacobite rebellion although this was quickly crushed whilst a third rebellion in 1719 was defeated at the Battle of Glenshiel . Extensive construction of roads and military installations commenced to ensure the Highlands would finally be pacified. By 1744 the Union had seemingly failed to deliver economic benefits to the Highlands and a series of circumstances had put severe pressure on the clan structure. Concurrently war broke out between Britain and France; the latter sought to ignite a new Jacobite rebellion and planned to synchronise that with an invasion of Southern England headed by Prince Charles. But fortunes of war intervened and the French stalled their support. Frustrated by this inaction, Prince Charles fitted out two ships under the pretence of a routine privateering mission. With a frigate called Du Teillay and a man-of-war, the Elisabeth, he sailed for Scotland in early July 1745.

The Royal Navy’s HMS Lion intercepted the Elisabeth and compelled it to return to port, but Prince Charles on the Du Teillay pressed on and on 23 July 1745 he landed on Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides. Prince Charles had assumed that Highland support for his cause was still strong but with three previous Jacobite rebellions having been crushed and a road network facilitating easy access for a Government army, few chiefs were ready to support his cause. Only through (false) promises of French support and personally winning over the influential Donald Cameron of Lochiel did he rally any to his cause. By August 1745 though he had announced his intention to repeal the Act of Union and legislate for religious freedom prompting more to join his force. The initial reaction from the Government was muted. Whilst most of the British army was deployed fighting in Flanders, a force of 4,000 soldiers under Sir John Cope was deployed in Scotland to deal with any eventuality. He moved his force into the Highlands but faced a confusing intelligence picture opting to march on Inverness.

But his actions left central Scotland undefended and Prince Charles capitalised on the error; on 17 September he entered Edinburgh proclaiming his father James VIII of Scotland. Realising his mistake, Sir John moved his force towards Aberdeen and then, by sea, to Dunbar. He moved his force towards Edinburgh but was defeated at the Battle of Prestonpans on 21 September; his entire army was decimated with over 1,500 soldiers being taken prisoner. The battle awoke London to the threat and prompted the recall of Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and his army from Flanders. On 1 October Field Marshall George Wade, who had been recalled earlier in September as the situation had deteriorated, was ordered to take position in the north and duly marched to Newcastle in October. On 3 November 1745 the army of Prince Charles invaded England. With Wade at Newcastle the Jacobites invaded via Carlisle ironically benefiting from the road network Wade had built in order to suppress the Highlands in the preceding decades. By 4 December the Prince had reached Derby having skilfully manoeuvred around the armies of both Wade and Cumberland.

London lay open to his attack but, for the first time since returning to Britain, Prince Charles failed to convince his Council of War. Led by Lord George Murray, the Jacobite commanders feared being hemmed in by the armies of Wade and Cumberland as well as any force raised within London itself. On 6 December 1745, just two days after their arrival in the city, the Jacobite army retreated from Derby resolved to march north back into Scotland. Arriving at Carlisle Castle the Prince received word that French reinforcements were on the way and left a garrison installed ready for a future advance into England. The bulk of the army continued their retreat north compelling Glasgow to re-provision and equip them before attempting an ineffectual siege of Stirling Castle . The Government’s forces were now in hot pursuit. Within days of the Prince leaving his garrison at Carlisle, the castle had been besieged by Cumberland and was forced to surrender without terms. Whilst an attempt to engage the Jacobites at the Second Battle of Falkirk (1746) led to a Governmental defeat, their forces were able to withdraw to Edinburgh without significant loss and soon augmented Cumberland’s force.

The Jacobites retreated further north into their Highland strongholds aiming to dislodge the Government garrisons along the Great Glen and renew the campaign in the Spring. Inverness Castle (Fort George) and Fort Augustus both fell at this time. The Jacobites wintered in Inverness whilst the Government forces did the same at Aberdeen. Prelude On 8 April 1746 the Government forces under Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland moved out of Aberdeen ready to renew the war. Well equipped and supplied they arrived at Nairn, just 12 miles from Prince Charles at Inverness, on 14 April. By contrast the Jacobite army was in a poor state; a Royal Navy blockade had left Prince Charles without money or supplies meaning he needed to initiate battle quickly in order to remain in the field. The Prince announced his intention to invite a battle on the high ground to the south of his headquarters. This area, known as Drummossie Moor, was open terrain but very boggy. Murray vigorously opposed the site considering it unsuitable for the Highland charge and instead proposed a nearby alternative.

He was overruled and on 15 April 1746 the Jacobites formed up on Drummossie Moor hoping to fight Cumberland that day. However the Government army remained in Nairn. Murray now proposed a night attack. This got underway but required the Jacobites to traverse difficult terrain and was called off when they failed to cover sufficient distance before dawn. The Jacobite army returned to the Moor exhausted perhaps hopeful that the Government army would spend another day in Nairn. However, by mid-morning Cumberland's forces were advancing to meet the Prince on his chosen terrain. The Battle The Jacobite army was significantly outnumbered but Prince Charles had placed his faith in the Highland charge. The outcome of the battle hinged upon the successful initiation of a single charge across the entire line to break the Government line. - Stage 1: Deployment The Jacobites drew up between two stone walled enclosures; Culloden Parks on their left and Culwhiniac enclosure on the right. However, the Prince lacked sufficient men to occupy these areas and accordingly they were left empty. The Duke of Cumberland drew up his force opposite configured in two lines.

- Stage 2: Jacobite Artillery Assault The Jacobites commenced the battle with an artillery assault on the Government lines but, with just 12 pieces, their attack was ineffectual. - Stage 3: Government Artillery Attack Cumberland responded to the Jacobite bombardment with the full might of his assembled artillery and mortars. The concentration of fire from the Government batteries caused extensive casualties amongst the Jacobites but who nevertheless held their position waiting for the order to advance. Concurrently a detachment of Government Dragoons broke into the Culwhiniac enclosure enabling them to fire directly on the Jacobite lines further increasing casualties. - Stage 4: Jacobites Charge After remaining stationary under fire for nearly twenty minutes, the Jacobites finally charged. When deployed correctly the Highland charge was a formidable tactic relying on a fast advance against the entire width of the enemy frontline to ensure only one or two volleys of musket fire could be delivered by the opponents. At close range the Highlanders would fire their own muskets, discard them and then smash into the enemy line using formidable close range weapons including dirks, broadswords and axes.

- Stage 5: Terrain Defuses Charge Unfortunately for the Prince, as Murray had advised, Drummossie Moor was unsuited to the Highland charge. On the Jacobite left the boggy ground defused the fast advance to a slow wade through knee deep mud and water. In the centre the line of advancing Jacobites slewed right as the attackers sought firmer ground but this brought them into line behind their own right wing which blocked their own fire. - Stage 6: Jacobites Break Only on the Jacobite right did the charge go as planned but when they arrived at the Government frontline they found that the breadth of their attack was insufficient to stop them being engulfed. Under fierce fire the Jacobite right broke and fled whilst the left was still slowly advancing. - Stage 7: Cumberland Takes The Field Cumberland now launched his dragoons and cavalry into the fray. The Jacobites were routed with around 1,200 killed and a similar number wounded. Cumberland ordered his infantry to advance and take the field having sustained fewer than 50 killed plus around 300 wounded. Aftermath The defeat at Culloden was a mortal blow to the Prince's rebellion which saw him lose the will to fight.

Whilst Murray marshalled the surviving Jacobites at Ruthven ready for the next stage of the campaign, Prince Charles simply ordered "Let every man seek his own safety in the best way he can". The Prince spent the next four months as a fugitive but was eventually successful at fleeing abroad. For the Highlanders a period of Government revenge followed as Cumberland’s forces rampaged through their territories intent on inflicting a lesson that would be remembered for generations and which earned him the title ‘Butcher Cumberland’. Of the 3,471 prisoners taken during the battle and the subsequent round-up almost one thousand were shipped as slaves to America or the West Indies whilst 120 were executed. Given the relative ease with which Inverness Castle had fallen to the rebels, the mighty Fort George citadel was built as a replacement (completed in 1769). Perhaps the most significant outcome of the battle was the direct assault on Highland culture. Tartan was banned (outside of the British Army) as were bagpipes. The Disarming Act (1746) made carrying weapons illegal whilst the Heritable Jurisdictions Act (1747) stripped Clan chiefs of their legal powers.

Whilst these harsh measures were eventually repealed in the 1780s, the impact when coupled with wider economic and social changes ultimately led to the Highland Clearances and an irreversible change to life in the northern part of the British Isles. Weapons and Tactics Jacobites. The bulk of the Jacobite force was drawn from Highland clans who were traditionally armed with muskets, broadsword and a small round shield. Their ‘Highland charge’ was a fast assault on the enemy position with them firing muskets at close range, dropping their firearm and then engaging with broadsword. It was an effective tactic that worked well but went wrong at Culloden due to the boggy ground. Government Forces. The Royalist army at Culloden was a mix of Redcoats, loyalist Highlanders and Scottish lowlander regiments. The bulk of the force was armed with muskets that they traditionally fired in volleys rather than ‘aimed shots’. Bayonets were fitted prior to the battle starting and provided a close-quarters weapon system ideal for stabbing. Bibliography Ang, T abd Pollard, M (1984). Walking the Scottish Highlands: General Wade’s Military Roads. Andre Deutsch Ltd, London.

Bowditch, L (2013). Culloden. National Trust for Scotland, Edinburgh Clark, D (1996). Battlefield walks : Scotland. Sutton Publishing, Stroud. Cyprien, M and Fairbairn, N (1983). A Traveller's Guide to the Battlefields of Britain. Evans Brothers Ltd, London. Dodds, G.L (1996). Battles in Britain 1066-1746. Arms & Armour, London. Douglas, D.C, Horn, D.B and Ransome, M (ed) (1975). English Historical Documents Vol 7 (1714-1783). Routledge, London. Donaldson, G (1997). Scottish Historical Documents. Neil Wilson Publishing, Castle Douglas. Forbes, G. Scottish Battles: 86 A.D. to 1746. Lang Syne, Glasgow. Green, H (1973). Guide to the Battlefields of Britain and Ireland. Constable, London. Kinross, J (1979). The Battlefields of Britain. London.

Lancaster, J.H.D (2014). Culloden: Battlefield visit notes and observations. CastlesFortsBattles.co.uk. McCall, C (2003). Routes, Roads and Rebellions: A Brief History of the Life and Works of General George Wade. SOLCOL, Matlock. Maclean, F (1995). Highlanders: A History of the Highland Clans. Adelphi, London. Ordnance Survey (2015). Highland. 1:1250. Southampton. Reid, S (2004). Battles of the Scottish Lowlands, Battlefield Britain. Pen & Sword, Barnsley. Sadler, J (2010). Scottish Battles. Birlinn, Edinburgh. Smurthwaite, D (1993). The Complete Guide to the Battlefields of Britain. Michael Joseph, London. Vallance, E (2006). The Glorious Revolution: 1688 - Britain's Fight for Liberty. Little Brown, London What's There? The site remains largely undeveloped although is now partially woodland which reduces visibility of the battlefield plain.

A monument marks the site of the battle and there is a major museum run by the National Trust for Scotland. Cairn. Both the clan stones and the large stone cairn were installed by Duncan Forbes, Laid of Culloden in 1881. By this time Victorian romanticism had created a nostalgia for the Jacobites. Partisan Plaque. By the time the cairn was erected the battle had become seen as the English versus the Scots and this was reflected in the clan stones and the cairn. Waterlogged Ground. The battlefield’s boggy terrain defused the effectiveness of the Highlanders charge and was the single biggest factor in their defeat. Battlefield. Part of the battlefield is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. A series of paved footpaths cross the site with a good audio tour and flags marking the position of the forces. Clan Fraser. Charles Fraser of Inverallochie led Lord Lovat's Regiment within Lord Drummond's Division. Clan Campbell. John Campbell, Duke of Argyll led three companies of Highlanders against the Jacobites at Culloden. Clan MacKintosh. A Regiment from the Clan fought under Lord Drummond's Division.

Clan MacGillivray. Alexander MacGillivray led Lady MacKintoish's Regiment within Lord Drummond's Division. Clan Cameron. From Lochiel, near Fort William. Fought with Lord George Murray's force on the Jacobite right. Clan Stewart. From Appin, near Oban. Fought with Lord George Murray's force on the Jacobite right taking 50% casualties. Clans MacLean and MacLachlan. Both fought as part of Lord Drummond's Division. Athol Highlanders. Raised by feudal levy and had little heart for the fight. Clan Donald. Three Regiments of MacDonalds fought for the Jacobites at Culloden - the MacDonalds of Clanranald, the MacDonalds of Keppoch and the the MacDonnells of Lochgarry. ‘Field of the English’. A somewhat partisan memorial stone. Actually significant numbers of Scottish forces fought on the Government side at Culloden. Getting There The battlefield is a major tourist attraction and well sign-posted. A dedicated car park (free for National Trust of Scotland / National Trust) members is on site.

Culloden Battlefield Battle of Culloden Museums Battle of Culloden The Duke of Cumberland’s decisive defeat of Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s Jacobite Army: the beginning of the end for the clan system in the Highlands of Scotland The Duke of Cumberland at the Battle of Culloden 16th April 1746 in the Jacobite Rebellion: click here to buy this picture The previous battle in the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion is the Battle of Falkirk The next battle in the British Battles series is the Battle of Mollwitz Prince Charles Edward Stuart: Battle of Culloden 16th April 1746 in the Jacobite Rebellion: click here to buy this picture War: The Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 Date of the Battle of Culloden: 16th April 1746 (Old Style) (27th April 1746 New Style). The dates in this page are given in the Old Style.

Place of the Battle of Culloden: South east of Inverness and a few miles south west of Nairn in Scotland Combatants at the Battle of Culloden: The Jacobite Army of Prince Charles and the Royal Troops of King George II Generals at the Battle of Culloden: Prince Charles and Lord George Murray against the Duke of Cumberland. Size of the Armies at the Battle of Culloden: 7,000 in the Jacobite Army and 8,000 in the Royal Army. Winner of the Battle of Culloden: The Royal Army under the Duke of Cumberland. British Regiments at the Battle of Culloden: Culloden is not a battle honour for British Regiments despite being a victory.

Colmondeley’s 34th Regiment: Battle of Culloden 16th April 1746 in the Jacobite Rebellion The regiments present at the battle were: Cobham’s (10th) and Kerr’s (11th) dragoons, Kingston’s Light Dragoons, the Royals (1st), Howard’s Old Buffs (3rd), Barrel’s King’s Own (4th) Wolfe’s (8th), Pulteney’s (13th), Price’s (14th), Bligh’s (20th), Campbell’s Royal Scots Fusiliers (21st), Sempill’s (25th), Blakeney’s (27th), Cholmondeley’s (34th), Fleming’s (36th), Munro’s (37th), Ligonier’s (48th) and Battereau’s (62nd) Foot. Colonel Francis Ligonier (brother of Lieutenant General Sir John Ligonier) died soon after the Battle of Falkirk and Sir Robert Munro was killed at that battle. Their regiments of foot became Conway’s and Dejean’s.

Colonel Conway was one of the Duke’s aides de camp at Culloden. Bligh’s became Bury’s, Lord Bury being another aide de camp. James Wolfe became the lieutenant colonel of Bury’s. The Royal Artillery was commanded by Colonel Belfort. Background to the Battle of Culloden: The Duke of Cumberland arrived in Edinburgh on 30th January 1746 to take over command of the Royal Army from General Hawley, following the unsuccessful Battle of Falkirk. The next day Cumberland marched north taking the circuitous route along the coast so the army could be supplied by the fleet. The army halted for some weeks at Aberdeen. Duke of Cumberland: Battle of Culloden 16th April 1746 in the Jacobite Rebellion Unable to capture Stirling Castle from the redoubtable General Blakeney, Prince Charles with his army retreated north to Inverness. From there he undertook operations across the Highlands, capturing Fort George and Fort Augustus and harrying the remaining government forces. While at Aberdeen Cumberland prepared his troops for the forthcoming battle against the highlanders.

Cumberland and his soldiers were determined there should not be another defeat like the Battles of Prestonpans and Falkirk. In addition to practising volley firing the troops were taught a form of bayonet fighting; the first time in the British army that the use of the bayonet was the subject of tuition. The Duke of Cumberland was admired and liked by “Tommy Lobster” (the nickname coming into use for soldiers). He had been with them at Dettingen in 1743, where he had been wounded in the leg and he had led the renowned infantry attack on the French at the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745, an episode that attracted admiration and derision in equal measure. Highlander: Battle of Culloden 16th April 1746 in the Jacobite Rebellion In the 18th Century military authority was uncertain, particularly above regimental level. Cope and Hawley, the Royalist commanders at the Battles of Prestonpans and Falkirk respectively although generals did not have the clout to ensure their armies were properly equipped.

The Duke of Cumberland was the second son of the monarch, a decisive source of authority and could ensure his army had the equipment and support it needed from all departments of government. The fleet provided his supply and the Ordnance, an agency independent of the Army provided his powerful and well led train of artillery. In Colonel Belford Cumberland had Britain’s leading gunner. By the time the Royal Army marched north it was ready for the decisive encounter with the Jacobites. The Jacobite Army was not so well placed. It had been in serious decline since Falkirk, many of the highlanders leaving for home after the battle. Supply was badly organised and the regiments that assembled on the moorland outside Inverness to meet the Royal Army were on short rations. There was dissent among the senior officers and Prince Charles refused to concern himself with his deteriorating military situation. Harry Rowe trumpeter in the Duke of Kingston’s Light Dragoons at the Battle of Culloden 16th April 1746 in the Jacobite Rebellion in later life A position was selected by Secretary O’Sullivan, Prince Charles’s adjutant general, on which the Jacobite Army would give battle to Cumberland’s troops.

O’Sullivan chose a stretch of open moorland shut in by the walled Culloden enclosures to the North and the walls of Culloden Park to the South. Lord George Murray and other senior officers pointed out the unsuitability of such open land in view of Cumberland’s powerful artillery. The Prince refused to change O’Sullivan’s choice. On 15th April 1746, the Royal Army camped at Nairn, where it celebrated the Duke of Cumberland’s birthday. On that night, the Jacobites attempted a night attack on Cumberland’s camp. The approach march was a failure with men falling far behind and losing themselves in the boggy country. With dawn breaking the Jacobites were not near enough to launch their attack and were forced to return to Culloden, exhausted, discouraged and hungry. This failure exacerbated the split between Prince Charles and some of his most important commanders. Many of the highlanders went off to search for food or to sleep.

Map of the Battle of Culloden 16th April 1746 in the Jacobite Rebellion: map by John Fawkes Account of the Battle of Culloden: The Royal Army rose early on 16th April 1746 and began its approach march to Culloden, moving onto the moor in four columns. The troops were well fed and rested, confident and determined. The Argyll Militia, comprising Campbell highlanders and Kingston’s Light Horse reconnoitred in advance of the army. Drummer and Grenadier Barrell’s King’s Own Royal Regiment: Battle of Culloden 16th April 1746 in the Jacobite Rebellion The alarm was given in the Highland camp and guns were fired to summon the clans to their battle positions. In addition to the shortage of supplies and the exhaustion of the men, the Jacobite Army was beset with difficulties. Important sections of the army were in the north pursuing Loudon’s government forces. Many of the men who had left their regiments to forage and sleep failed to hear the summons. The waning fortunes of the rebellion had brought out stresses within the army.

A dispute between the Clanranald and Glengarry sections of the Clan McDonald had caused many to return home. The remaining MacDonalds were upset that they were allotted the left flank of the army rather than the right, which they considered their entitlement. When the battle began, they could not be persuaded to charge. The first line of the Jacobite Army formed with the Atholl regiments on the right flank, then the Camerons of Locheil, Stewarts of Appin, Frasers, Mackintoshes, Macleans and Maclachlans, Farquarharsons, Stuarts and on the left wing the Macdonalds. The second line comprised the various mounted regiments, much depleted by the wear on the horses of the long campaign, the regular regiments of Scots and Irish foot from the French army and a few further clan regiments. Placed in the centre and on each flank was the motley assemblage of cannon possessed by the army, largely manned by scratch teams of untrained gunners. Once assembled the Jacobite Army numbered some 5,000 men.

At around midday the Royal Army arrived on the field of battle after marching some ten miles across the moorland from the camp at Nairn. the regiments in three lines. The army then advanced in line to bring itself closer to the rebels and halted. Two regiments were brought from the third into the first and second lines to extend the flank on the right and the dragoon regiments were positioned on the outer flanks. Cumberland’s regiments stood from right to left: in the front line Pulteney’s, the Royal Regiment, Cholmondeley’s, Price’s, the Royal Scots Fusiliers, Munro’s and Barrel’s: in the second line Campbell’s, Battereau’s, Howard’s, Fleming’s, Bligh’s, Sempill’s and Ligonier’s. Blakeney’s regiment formed the third line alone. Highlander: Battle of Culloden 16th April 1746 in the Jacobite Rebellion Wolfe’s Regiment took post behind the wall that led forward from Barrel’s left flank, to provide enfilading fire across the army’s front.

The 6 pounder guns were placed in pairs between the front-line regiments and the mortars in a battery behind the first line. The two armies stood some 300 yards apart. The Royal guns opened fire on the Jacobite lines, a fire that the inadequate Jacobite artillery could not effectively answer. It was Prince Charles’s expectation that Cumberland would attack. He waited for the word that Cumberland was advancing but the Royal Army did not move. The bombardment continued, inflicting casualties on the highlanders and wreaking havoc with the morale of many of the less steadfast Jacobite regiments. Prince Charles was finally persuaded that he must order the highlanders to charge before the army began to melt away. He dispatched aides de camp to give the word to the various parts of the first line to attack. On the left wing the Duke of Perth attempted to persuade the McDonalds to charge, but they refused. Elsewhere in the Jacobite front line the order to attack was instantly obeyed, the highlanders keen to escape from the galling gunfire and get to grips with the enemy. The first regiment away was the MacIntosh, known as Clan Chattan, led by its yellow haired colonel, McGillivray of Dunmaglass.

36th Regiment of Foot: Battle of Culloden 16th April 1746 in the Jacobite Rebellion: Mackenzie from Representation of Cloathing The highlanders’ charge was a fearsome episode; bunches of clansmen running at top speed with broadswords, target shields and dirks, yelling their clan war cries. In the two previous battles, Prestonpans and Falkirk, the highlanders’ charge had been sufficient to cause the Royal regiments to collapse in flight without waiting for contact. One of the drawbacks to the position selected by O’Sullivan was the presence of an area of boggy ground unnoticed to its front. The Clan Chattan veered to its right to avoid the bog and followed the road that passed diagonally on firm ground across the moor. The Clan Chattan crowded across in front of the clan regiments to their right, obstructing the path of the attack and pushing their neighbours towards the park wall. The Frasers, Appin Stewarts, Locheil’s Camerons and the three regiments of Athollmen charged home on Cumberland’s left wing striking Barrel’s King’s Own Regiment on the extreme flank.

All the regiments of foot in the Royal first line fired on the attacking highlanders, the guns discharging canisters of musket ball. The wind was behind them pushing the choking clouds of powder smoke, a feature of every 18th Century battle, down on the highlanders. Wolfe’s regiment fired into the flank of the highland charge from its position behind the wall, inflicting many casualties. The Highland charge on Barrell’s Regiment: Battle of Culloden 16th April 1746 in the Jacobite Rebellion: painted by Davind Morier using Highland prisoners as models The surviving highlanders smashed into Barrel’s and Munro’s regiments. Hand to hand fighting of great ferocity took place. This time, unlike the two earlier battles, the royal troops fought it out. Lord Robert Kerr, a captain in Barrel’s, was killed by a blow from a broadsword. Robert Rich, the lieutenant colonel of the regiment, lost his left hand to a sword cut and nearly lost the right forearm to another, in addition to six cuts to his head.

The Highland Attack: Battle of Culloden 16th April 1746 in the Jacobite Rebellion: picture by John Mackenzie Duke of Cumberland at Battle of Culloden 16th April 1746 in the Jacobite Rebellion Cumberland ordered up Bligh’s and Sempill’s regiments in support of the first line and the highlanders who managed to pass through the front line were shot down by these regiments. Those highlanders that survived the charge made their way back to rebel lines, receiving further fire from Wolfe’s as they passed. The Royal dragoons moved forward, ranging across the battlefield. The Campbells crossed Culloden Park, coming out behind the rebels’ right flank. Prince Charles rode away and the clan regiments left the field, their retreat covered by the Irish Pickets and the other regular regiments of foot. The battle was over.

Casualties at the Battle of Culloden: Royal Army: Battle of Glenshiel (1719) | Jacobite Rebllions (1689-1746) | Battlefields of Britain Battlefields of Britain Jacobite Rebellions (1689-1746) BATTLE OF GLENSHIEL (1719) The only pitched fight of the 1719 Jacobite Rebellion, the Battle of Glenshiel was fought on 10 June 1719. The rebels, who were aided by a Spanish Regiment, took up a formidable defensive position guarding a narrow mountain pass but were nevertheless attacked, dislodged and defeated effectively ending the rebellion. Historical Background In 1688 James VII of Scotland (II of England) was deposed in favour of the joint Protestant monarchy headed by William of Orange and Mary Stuart. This was extremely unpopular in the largely conservative Highlands and a series of rebellions followed most notably in 1715 when a serious uprising had broken out.

That rebellion had been ended when the Jacobites were defeated at Sheriffmuir and Preston whilst the Indemnity Act (1717), which pardoned most of those involved in the rebellion, attempted reconciliation. Concurrent with the Jacobite troubles, England and Scotland had been engaged in the war of the Spanish succession (1701-13). This had ended, from Britain's perspective, with the Treaty of Utrecht (1713) which accepted Philip V as King of Spain but when he sent forces to occupy Sicily in 1718 the British declared war. Hoping to destabilise and/or distract the British Government, the Spanish looked to move the war into mainland Britain and this included inciting a new Jacobite insurrection in the north. The Spanish invasion plans consisted of landing a sizeable invading force in Southern England concurrent with a large scale rebellion in the Highlands. This would be initiated by George Keith, Earl Marishcal who had been in exile in Spain since the 1715 rebellion. Supported by a force of 300 Spanish soldiers he sailed from Corunna, Spain in April 1719 and occupied the Isle of Lewis before moving onto the mainland via Loch Alsh.

He established his headquarters at Eilean Donan Castle disembarking significant quantities of ammunition and gunpowder there. From this point onwards the plan started to unravel. The main Spanish fleet - which had sailed from Cadiz with a force of 5,000 men under the command of James Butler, Duke of Ormonde - was wrecked by a storm. This in turn led to many of the Highland clans being reluctant to join the rebellion although the MacGregors, which had been excluded from the Indemnity Act, did participate and prompted some others to follow. William Murray, Earl of Tullibardine was assigned as commander of the land contingent which numbered around 1,000 men including the Spanish soldiers. In an attempt to bolster recruits, Tullibardine led his forces away from his headquarters at Eilean Donan - just in time as it happened for the Government had dispatched HMS Enterprise, HMS Flamborough and HMS Worcestor to seize the castle. After a sharp action the (Spanish) garrison surrendered denying the Jacobites significant quantities of ordnance. Concurrently a land force under Major General Joseph Wightman had deployed from Inverness Castle.

Prelude The Jacobite forces found themselves in a difficult position as they were facing a pincer movement. To their west, at Eilean Donan, were the forces of the Royal Navy whilst approaching from the east were Wightman's infantry force. Murray needed to engage the Government forces on favourable terrain and he chose Glenshiel, a natural bottleneck where the Inverness road passed through mountains on both sides. He was in place by the 8 June awaiting his opponent. Wightman meanwhile had marched from Inverness Castle and by the 9 June was at Loch Cluanie, around 8 miles from Glenshiel. The next day he resumed his advance and upon arrival found Murray deployed ready for battle. Numbers Murray had around 1,000 men in total. The bulk were from Clans Cameron, MacGregor, MacKenzie, MacKinnon and Murray. He also had around 200 Spanish troops (the balance had been the garrison at Eilean Donan when attacked by the Royal Navy) under Colonel Don Nicolás de Castro Bolaño.

His sub-commanders included William Mackenzie, Earl of Seaforth and Robert Roy MacGregor (Rob Roy) as well as George Keith, Earl Marischal. Wightman had a comparable sized force; around 850 infantry supported by 120 dragoons and a small contingent equipped with mortars. The Battle The battle was effectively a frontal assault by Wightman's forces on the Jacobite positions. - Stage 1: Deployment Murray's objective was to bar the Government path and badly maul them as they tried to dislodge him. He built a barricade over the road and positioned his forces on the imposing high ground to the north and south. His Spanish contingent was attached to the forces to the north. - Stage 2: Bombardment Starts Wightman commenced his bombardment around 5pm. He sent forward his Dragoons in an attack on the Jacobite centre which provided cover for his mortar teams to move into range. They then started a bombardment on the Jacobite right (in the south). - Stage 3: Assault on Jacobite Right After the successful bombardment, four infantry platoons from Clayton's and Munro's Regiments stormed the Jacobite positions in the south.

The Jacobite right fell back and, despite attempts to rally them and the provision of reinforcements drawn from the centre, fell into a general retreat. - Stage 4: Assault on Jacobite Centre Wightman now turned his mortars on the Spanish forces holding the northern high ground and the Jacobite barricade in the centre. He followed this by a (dismounted) Dragoon attack on the centre. This was augmented by Clayton's and Munro's Regiments, fresh from their victory in the south, who crossed the river in support. - Stage 5: Assault on Jacobite Left The main Government army was now brought into action with an assault against the northern Jacobite positions. A fierce fight commenced with Clan Seaforth who urgently called for reinforcements. Rob Roy sent men to assist but it was too late - the Seaforth's men were in retreat. - Stage 6: Fighting Retreat The Jacobite line disintegrated as the Highlanders fled to avoid capture and execution for treason. Murray's Spanish contingent executed a fighting retreat to cover their withdrawal. Aftermath Casualties from the battle were relatively light and peace with Spain undermined any further attempts to continue the 1719 rebellion.

The uprising did however encourage the British Government to take definitive action to prevent further trouble in the Highlands. In 1724 General George Wade was sent to Scotland with a commission to build roads and barracks to ensure the stability of the north. He constructed over 240 miles of roads including 30 bridges whilst a dedicated regiment - the Black Watch - was raised from loyal Highlander clans. Coupled with Fort William, Fort Augustus and Inverness Castle (later Fort George) the aim was to prevent any further insurrection in the north. Despite these efforts, a final Jacobite rebellion ignited in 1745 culminating in the Battle of Culloden (1746) . General Wade General George Wade’s building programme in Scotland and the north was extensive. Following the 1715 uprising four purpose built barracks had been constructed (at Glenelg , Inversnaid, Kiliwhimen and Ruthven ). Wade now set about building an extensive network of roads including multiple bridges. Regrettably the Carlisle to Newcastle road was also built as part of this programme – resulting in much of Hadrian’s Wall being demolished as hard core for the new road!

General Wade was also responsible for forming the 43rd Regiment of Foot (later renamed 42nd) - a unit that would later become known as the Black Watch. The first six companies were raised in 1725 using loyalist clans for recruitment. Three companies were drawn from members of Clan Campbell whilst the others hailed from Clans Fraser, Grant and Munro. In 1739 a further four companies were added. Some would see action at the Battle of Culloden (1746) at the end of the Jacobite wars. The unit still exists as Third Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland. Bibliography Ang, T abd Pollard, M (1984). Walking the Scottish Highlands: General Wade’s Military Roads. Andre Deutsch Ltd, London. Clark, D (1996). Battlefield walks : Scotland. Sutton Publishing, Stroud. Cyprien, M and Fairbairn, N (1983). A Traveller's Guide to the Battlefields of Britain. Evans Brothers Ltd, London. Dodds, G.L (1996). Battles in Britain 1066-1746.

Arms & Armour, London. Donaldson, G (1997). Scottish Historical Documents. Neil Wilson Publishing, Castle Douglas. Douglas, D.C, Horn, D.B and Ransome, M (ed) (1975). English Historical Documents Vol 7 (1714-1783). Routledge, London. Forbes, G. Scottish Battles: 86 A.D. to 1746. Lang Syne, Glasgow. Green, H (1973). Guide to the Battlefields of Britain and Ireland. Constable, London. Kinross, J (1979). The Battlefields of Britain. London. Lancaster, J.H.D (2014). Glenshiel: Battlefield visit notes and observations. CastlesFortsBattles.co.uk. Maclean, F (1995). Highlanders: A History of the Highland Clans. Adelphi, London. McCall, C (2003). Routes, Roads and Rebellions: A Brief History of the Life and Works of General George Wade. SOLCOL, Matlock. Ordnance Survey (2015).

Highlands. 1:1250. Southampton. Reid, S (2004). Battles of the Scottish Lowlands, Battlefield Britain. Pen & Sword, Barnsley. Robertson, A.E (1947). Old Tracks, Cross-Country Routes and Coffin Roads in the North-West Highlands. Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal. Sadler, J (2010). Scottish Battles. Birlinn, Edinburgh. Smurthwaite, D (1993). The Complete Guide to the Battlefields of Britain. Michael Joseph, London. Vallance, E (2006). The Glorious Revolution: 1688 - Britain's Fight for Liberty. Little Brown, London What's There? A small information board and cairn mark the site but the terrain of the battle speaks for itself. A (relatively steep) path leads up to a superb view of the surrounding area. View from West. The battlefield viewed from the west (behind the Jacobite lines). High ground left and right was held by the rebels who retreated towards the camera once dislodged. Information Board.

The monument/information board is a little light on detail but the wooden post directly in front points to the path uphill to superb views of the battleground. River Shiel. Then as now the River Shiel divides the battlefield. Clayton’s Regiment and soldiers from Clan Munro forded the river to support the Dragoon attack on the Jacobite centre. Getting There The monument is easily found on Greenbank Road. A number of small lay-bys nearby provide parking for one or two cars. Battle of Glenshiel The Jacobite Uprising of 1745 - All Empires The Jacobite Uprising of 1745 Category: Early Modern: Political History Bonnie Prince Charlie The Jacobite Uprising of 1745 was a civil war fought in Great Britain. This was the second and final uprising in support for the House of Stuart. King James VII of Scotland (James II of England) had been removed long ago. The House of Stuart, a Catholic faction no longer in control of the Monarchy, was replaced by the House of Hanover. This House was led by King George II. Now, James had been trying to invade Scotland and then England, but the English navy was not leaving any gaps.

In 1745, most of the English army including King George II himself left to fight the French in Belgium during the War of Austrian Succession. This gave a good time for an uprising. James's son, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, would lead an invasion because James was much to old to fight in battles. They were a small force, but they still tried to conquer the whole of Scotland and to get the chiefs of the clans on their side. There were many Jacobite (Jacobite comes from the Latin word for James: Jacobus) supporters in Scotland and even some in England. Contrary to popular belief, the Scots greatly supported the Jacobites. Though 2,000 Scots served at Culloden, nearly 15,000 Jacobites served on the opposing side. However, they would not rebel until an invasion came. One good source of propaganda for the English government was that the Jacobites were Catholic and that King James would restore Catholicism. The Church of England would not tolerate a Catholic king, and neither would the English people. However, France and Spain, two predominately Catholic nations, would help Prince Charles Stuart.

With some loyal Jacobites that had come with his father, James II, when he left Britain, and some French troops and supplies, Prince Charles Edward Stuart would invade Scotland. The Jacobite plan was to get the chiefs of the various Highland clans on their side by invading Scotland. Once they had some Highlanders, they would eliminate the government forces and then invade England. Charles came with 3,000 Frenchmen, including an Irish Brigade of 700, the same one that had fought at the Battle of Dettingen in 1743, on the Elisabeth. The Elisabeth encountered the HMS Lion. During the battle, both ships were badly damaged, but the Elisabeth was forced to retreat. Prince Charles later landed on Eriskay, an island located very closely west of Scotland. At first, the Highland clans thought that this invasion would be another hoax, but, nonetheless, Charles took Glenfinnan, known as an old Clan McDonald fortress. Then, over 1,200 men joined the Jacobite cause. The Jacobites marched south and their forces swelled to 3,000. The Jacobites later took Edinburgh and routed two government Dragoon regiments.

Still, the government forces under Sir John Cope greatly understimated the Jacobites. The government troops would later meet the Jacobites at the Battle of Prestonpans on September 21, 1745. The two commanders of the government troops were Prince Charles and his aid, his best general, Lord George Murray. The government troops were inexperienced whereas the Highlanders were well-seaoned troops. The usual Jacobite soldier carried a basket-hilted claymore, not to be confused with the huge hand and a half claymore of the Middle Ages. They also carried dirks(short daggers) and cocked pistols. Some even carried muskets. One division carried pikes which are usually depicted in paintings. The Battle of Prestonpans was a complete massacre. The Highlanders launched a surprise morning raid. They charged into the tents of the enemy while taking few casualties. Most the government troops fired unaimed shot and ran for their lives. The battle was such a slaughter that a young sixteen year old killed a total of fourteen men. The only troops that escaped were the Dragoons.

John Cope was to later receive ridicule and is known the subject of the bagpipe tune “Hey Johnnie Cope are ye waken yet?”, which refers to the unpreparedness of his troops for a morning raid. It was not until December 4th that more action would be taken. The Jacobite force of 5,000 took the city of Derth, England. Prince Charles Edward Stuart had heard of the French attempting to give aid and he wanted to take London. His fellow officers, however declined. Charles felt betrayed. His troops were at their high peak and ready to take back the throne for his father. His forces now retreated back to Scotland. They would see combat again, though. The next battle fought was the Battle of Falkirk on January 17, 1746. Other Highland forces were already besieging General Blankeney at Stirling Castle, and Charles went to give them aid. The government forces in Edinburgh Castle, which was not taken by the Jacobites, came to aid General Blankeney under the command of General Hawley. During the Jacobite Uprising of 1715, the Jacobites had been slaughtered by cavalry.

Hawley thought that the same would happen at Falkirk. How wrong he was. The dragoons charged up a hill to where the Jacobites were. They were forced to retreat because of a musket volley and when they did charge, the Jacobites took out their dirks and stabbed the horses. The Jacobites then charged down the hill at the rest of the army. They used the famous tactic of the Highland Charge. During this, they would take out their pistols or muskets and fire them before the enemy could fire a volley. This would lead to fewer casualties. Also, the government forces had no cannons at the battle. Sir John Cope, the loser at the Battle of Prestonpans had predicted that the commander that took his place would lose as he did to the Jacobites, and he was right. Also, during the siege, Charles's men refused to build any siege works such as sandbags. This lead to them not being able to take Stirling Castle. In the end, however, Charles was victorious. This would be the last successful battle that he would have though. The Battle of Culldoen The Jacobites later turned north and took Fort George and Fort Augustus in Inverness.

Around this same area is where the rebellion would end. At the famed Battle of Culloden, Hanoverian, English, and even some Scottish forces defeated the Jacobites. The most common misconception of Culloden is that the Scots hated the House of Stuart and joined the English. This is far from the truth because way more Scots fought for the Jacobites than for the House of Hanover. At the battle, the Jacobite forces were massacred by the Duke of Cumberland. This was because of a massive musket and cannon volley on the Jacobites and new bayonet tactics. The Jacobites had always won because of sheer fierceness and not because of discipline. The Jacobites would charge right near the government forces and then they would be fired upon. In the dust, a bayonet charge was ordered. This caused panic in the Jacobite ranks and they fled. The Duke of Cumberland ordered all of the wounded Jacobites killed. The defeat at Culloden was one of the only victories that the Duke of Cumberland won. This was also the last battle fought on the island of Great Britain. Prince Charlie later fled to the Orkney Islands where he even had to dress up as a woman to get past a patrol. He later went back to France.

He had wanted to continue the rebellion, but his father did not want the throne. He then went to both France and Spain and ask for help, but both nations declined. He died on January 31, 1788 in France. Sources: The Jacobite Rebellion of 1755-46. The Jacobite Rebellion (1745-46) Background Bonnie Prince Charlie was a grandson of King James VII who was driven out of Britain in 1688 because of his support of the Catholic faith. Parliament had originally wanted James' daughter Mary and her husband, William of Orange from the Netherlands, to act as regents until James' newly born son, James Francis Stuart (Charles' father), reached his majority (and had been raised in the Protestant faith). But William was unhappy with this arrangement and insisted on having the crown along with his wife. Parliament agreed, thus sowing the seeds of the subsequent Jacobite Uprisings (Jacobite came from the Latin word for James - Jacobus). Of course, King James VII tried to regain his throne. But on July 12, 1690, William defeated James in the Battle of the Boyne, Ireland.

King James VII died in exile in 1701. There were further Jacobite insurrections in Scotland, particularly in 1715 when James Francis Stuart (nicknamed "The Old Pretender") landed in Scotland, some months after the Earl of Mar had conducted an ineffectual campaign. James had dithered in France about when to leave for Scotland and it was mid-winter by the time he arrived at Aberdeen on 22 December. And he did not bring the expected French military forces or any money. After two months he was advised to withdraw and left once more for France, never to return. William and Mary died childless and her sister and successor Queen Anne also died without issue. Parliament then decided in 1714 (by a majority of one) to ask George, the Elector of Hanover in Germany to become king of Britain. George's mother was Sophia, a grand-daughter of King James VI. Even so, the rules of succession gave James Francis Stuart a stronger right to the throne, a point not lost on the Jacobite supporters, most of whom were in Scotland.

In 1718, James Francis Stuart married Princess Clementina Maria Sobieski of Poland who was one of the wealthiest females of royal birth in Europe. Their son, Prince Charles Edward Louis John Casimir Silvester Maria Stuart was born in Rome on 31 December 1720. The Pope gave his personal blessing to the infant. Early Years Although the Hanoverian rumour machine tried to spread stories that he was deformed and an imbecile, unbiased observers of the young Prince described him as headstrong and brave. He learned quickly and could converse in English, French, Latin and Italian (but there was nobody to teach him Gaelic). He was a good marksman with a cross-bow. It is possible that his father would have allowed Charles to be reared as a Protestant to improve his chances of inheriting the throne but this was not a viable proposition while living in Rome. In addition to being called Prince Charles Edward, he also gained the nicknames of "Bonnie Prince Charlie" and "The Young Chevalier" (the French word for Prince). His portraits certainly show him to be a handsome young man. Charles was treated as a Prince in Italy and later in France.

The French and British were at loggerheads (as on so many occasions over the centuries) and in 1744 offered a fleet with 7,000 soldiers to help Charles restore the Stuarts to the British throne. But many of the ships were lost in a storm and wrecked on the Dunkirk coast. Jacobite Uprising, 1745 Despite the setback, Charles was resolved to sail to Scotland. For most of his life he would have been told exaggerated stories about the level of support and must have believed that his arrival would result in a massive, spontaneous uprising. He only sent a letter to his father about his intentions as he was ready to depart. On 23 July 1745, Charles landed on the white sands of the Outer Hebridean island of Eriskay, accompanied only by a small band of companions known as the "Seven Men of Moidart". The Prince is said to have scattered some seeds there and to this day a flower known as the Prince's Flower grows there and nowhere else in Scotland. Initially, the Highland chiefs were reluctant to join him, particularly as he had no French army with him.

The first to announce he would follow Charles was Ranald MacDonald and others soon followed. The Prince's standard was raised at Glenfinnan at the head of Loch Shiel on 19th August. At first there was no sign of any gathering clans but late in the afternoon the Camerons of Lochiel arrived followed by MacDonalds and MacGregors. Eventually some 1,500 men assembled. Many chiefs were reluctant to join him, but his enthusiasm and charm persuaded many who heard him. It is likely that the news that the Campbells were gathering a unit to assist the government forces, may have induced some clans with scores to settle to join the Jacobite cause. The Highland army marched across Scotland, growing in size as it went. They reached Perth early in September and the Prince stayed at the Salutation Hotel there, which still functions as such today. The room where he slept is still used as a bedroom. Prince Charles rode into the city in full Highland dress, a direct descendant of Robert the Bruce. In Perth he was joined by Lord George Murray who was an able soldier and he was appointed lieutenant general of the Jacobite army.

While in Perth, Charles is said to have visited Scone, the place where so many of his ancestors had been crowned. Advance and Retreat The Jacobite army entered Edinburgh on 17 September and Charles took up residence in the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Up until this time, apart from a few skirmishes, the Hanoverian army had avoided any major conflict. But they were encamped at Prestonpans, to the east of Edinburgh under the command of Sir John Cope, waiting for reinforcements from the south. On September 21, Lord George Murray led the Jacobites in a circle to the south and took the redcoats by surprise by attacking at dawn from the rear. The Battle of Prestonpans lasted only 15 minutes and gave the Jacobites a psychological boost. After five weeks of inactivity in Edinburgh, Prince Charles crossed the English border with 5,500 men and advanced through England. By 4 December they had reached as far as Derby in the heart of England, 120 miles from London. But bad winter weather was taking its toll and there was no swelling of the ranks from the people of England.

Faced by a Hanoverian army of 12,000 and another army of redcoats coming south behind them, the Prince's advisers recommended retreat. What they did not know was that London was in panic and King George had his valuables packed on a boat on the river Thames. Charles argued against retreat but eventually had to accept. William, Duke of Cumberland, son of King George I, in command of the Hanoverian army was in pursuit but the Jacobites mainly kept ahead of him and reached Glasgow by Christmas Day. While in Glasgow, Prince Charles met 20-year-old Clementina Wilkinshaw who was later to become his mistress. On 17th January, the Jacobite and Hanoverian armies met near Falkirk. Thanks once again to the tactics of Lord George Murray, the Highlanders inflicted heavy casualties on the redcoats who left the field of battle in confusion, only failing light stopping a rout. In the entire campaign from Glenfinnan to Falkirk the Jacobite army had never been defeated. Culloden After Falkirk, Charles was all for turning south again but his officers advised moving north. Charles was aghast, but had to accept.

His army grew smaller as they marched north through the Highlands and the Duke of Cumberland was again in pursuit with fresh troops. By 20 February Charles and fewer than 5,000 men reached Inverness. It took time for the government forces to assemble and reach the Moray Firth but gradually 8,000 men were advancing on Inverness. On 16 April 1746 the opposing forces met on Culloden Moor. Hanoverian cannon fire over a period of an hour killed many clansmen. When the Highlanders eventually charged, the rifle fire from the redcoats ripped into them. "Butcher" Cumberland had given the order that no quarter was to be spared and many wounded Jacobites were later killed. It is estimated that Jacobite losses amounted to 2,000; the Hanoverians lost 300. The Aftermath The government forces hunted down anyone who was thought to have participated in the "Jacobite Rebellion" and many houses and castles were torched. The only unit to show any compassion was the Campbell militia from Argyll.

Hundreds were executed (after brief trials in England), 700 died in the prison ships in the river Thames in London and a thousand were sold as slaves to the American plantations. The kilt was banned and no Highlander could carry a weapon. The clan system may not have lasted for much longer anyway, but the aftermath of Culloden hastened its demise. BBC - History - British History in depth: The Jacobite Cause Print this page The Glorious Revolution To modern eyes the complex web of religious and political loyalties which underpinned Jacobitism can seem alien and unsympathetic. The whole movement might be said to span the century from the deposition of James II in the Glorious Revolution of 1688 to the lonely alcohol-sodden death of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1788. A Catholic himself, James decided that by promoting edicts of religious tolerance, he would be able to surreptitiously re-establish Catholicism as the official faith of the British Isles. This notion produced near-hysteria in James's Protestant subjects - who had been taught to abhor this faith.

When a son was born to the King and Queen, British Protestants were faced with the prospect of never waking up from their worst nightmare: a Catholic dynasty. They turned to James's Protestant son-in-law William of Orange. In 1688 he led a successful invasion of England. James panicked and fled. As Scotland wavered, James wrote an utterly tactless letter to the Scottish National Convention in Edinburgh. They declared for William. James's most zealous Scottish supporter, Viscount Dundee, turned to a military solution. The first Jacobite rising broke out. But it was not very popular at all. Most Scottish nobles took the attitude of wait and see. Dundee's forces destroyed William's with a devastating highland charge at the battle of Killiecrankie in 1689, but their leader died in his hour of glory. This left the movement headless. The wait and see-ers kept waiting, and the rising petered out. So how did Jacobitism come back from the political grave in Scotland? In a few words: William and The Union. So how did Jacobitism come back from the political grave in Scotland? In a few words: William and The Union.

The new King's Scottish reign was characterised by government tactlessness and economic disasters. The most important of the latter was the Darien Scheme. William refused all English assistance to this Scottish venture to found a colony in Panama. When the scheme failed, leaving most of the would-be colonists dead, the King was widely blamed. Thus to the die-hard believers in the hereditary right of James were added the dissatisfied. Jacobitism became a magnet for almost anyone with a grudge against the government. The Union of 1707 then produced what was for many Scots the grudge to end all grudges. The ink was hardly dry on the treaty before it was being widely denounced, and Scotland was ripe for sedition. The French, who were at war with Britain, suddenly saw an advantage to be gained here. They would land the new Jacobite heir, James III 'The Old Pretender' in his ancestral kingdom and start a rebellion. It was an excellent opportunity to unite much of the nation, even many Presbyterians, on the Jacobite side against the Union. The abortive 1708 rising was dogged with bad luck, however, and possible sabotage.

The invasion fleet arrived tardily in the Firth of Forth to find the Royal Navy waiting for them. The French commander refused to put the furious James ashore. The invasion that might have united Scotland against the Union was a damp squib. Top The '15 Rebellion Contemporary newspaper account of the Battle of Glen Sheil in 1719 © However Jacobitism was still very dangerous. The promised benefits of the Union had failed to arrive for many people. Instead, heavy excise duty and increased tax caused much ill feeling. Added to these were humiliations at the hands of the English-dominated Westminster parliament. Yet rebellion when it came, sprang from a most unexpected quarter. When George I of Hanover succeeded to the throne in 1715, he sacked one of Scotland's most influential politicians: John Erskine, Earl of Mar. Mar decided to retaliate by raising the standard for the house of Stuart. On one side of his banner he put the arms of Scotland and on the other 'No Union'. Thousands flocked to it. Soon almost the entire north of Scotland was in his hands. He did this without even bothering to warn the Jacobite court.

This was not a phenomenon of a backward rural people rising for archaic notions of loyalty to the king over the water. There was strong support for the Jacobite cause in the trading burghs of north-east Scotland, as well as in the Highlands. Historian Bruce Lenman characterised the backbone of the rising as 'Patriotic Scots and Disgruntled Britons'. The government commander, the Duke of Argyll warned his own side that 'Beyond the Forth the rebels have a hundred to one at least against us'. The Union was in serious danger. Argyll seized the strategically vital ground around Stirling, but he was heavily outnumbered. Then at the battle of Sheriffmuir, when all seemed lost, Mar lost his nerve and suddenly withdrew. The belated landing of the Pretender couldn't retrieve things, and the leaders of the rising fled ingloriously to France. The 1715 was like no other Jacobite rising since Killiecrankie. It was totally indigenous to Britain and not started from abroad. It was also the only occasion when a sizeable rebellion also broke out in England - in heavily Catholic and financially broke Lancashire.

This was not a phenomenon of a backward rural people rising for archaic notions of loyalty to the King over the water. The moment had passed, however, and the exiled Stuarts now became no more than useful pawns in foreign hands. The next European power to play the Jacobite card was Spain in 1719. Unluckily for the Spanish, their main invasion fleet was destroyed by a storm before it ever set sail for England. Only a tiny diversionary force made it to the north-west of Scotland. There they garrisoned the ancient fortress of Eilean Donan but were scattered by the energetic response of the local Hanoverian commander at the battle of Glen Shiel. Lowland Scotland had settled down under a Hanoverian regime, which though sometimes unloved, did not move it to outright revolt. Faced with the Stuart association with foreign enemies, most Scots preferred to keep a hold of their Hanoverian nurse 'for fear of finding something worse'. But what George II and his ministers could not inspire was enthusiasm, and this was to prove near-calamitous when the Jacobite card was played again.

Top The '45 Rebellion Engraving of the Duke of Cumberland who defeated the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden © After major French invasion plans collapsed in 1744, Charles Edward Stuart put together his own tiny invasion force to land in Scotland. The Prince came without the men, money and guns that he had been expressly told that he needed. Instead, he brought himself and his unassailable self-belief. Guaranteed by Charles that he would be compensated if the rising failed, the Chief of Clan Cameron committed his people to the cause. In this case, the support of a few key western clans was crucial to the rising. Without them, the Jacobite standard could never have been raised: with them, the '45 was begun. The rebellion had remarkable initial success. Many Hanoverian troops had been withdrawn to fight the regime's wars abroad, and only a handful remained to defend Scotland. This, plus the general reluctance of the population to martyr themselves for George II, allowed Charles to occupy Edinburgh virtually unopposed. In a move to whip up popular support, he decreed the Union to be abolished. Meanwhile, the government forces under General Cope appeared belatedly to take him on.

They were surprised by the Jacobite army at the battle of Prestonpans and torn apart, according to one observer in the space of 'seven or eight minutes'. Execution of the rebel lords at Tower Hill in 1746 © The Jacobite army now possessed Scotland. There was nothing to stop them marching into England - but was this a wise decision? Charles Edward assured his commanders that his loyal English subjects would join them, and that massive French military aid would be forthcoming. It soon turned out that the Prince's promises were mostly empty. The Jacobite army was in danger of being cut off from Scotland and massacred. At Derby, his military council forced a retreat. The decision sowed discord between the prince and his most gifted commander, Lord George Murray. Murray managed to carry off a successful retreat to Scotland, and then to win the battle of Falkirk against superior government forces. Little gratitude he got, however. Top Finished cause Battle of Culloden - a contemporary coloured print giving an artist's impression of the battle © At Culloden, the fruits of Charles's rancour with Murray appeared. After the failure of a surprise night-attack on the government forces, the Prince insisted on taking command.

He chose to give battle on the most unsuitable terrain possible for a Highland charge. Hanoverian artillery cut the Jacobite troops to pieces, and Culloden was a slaughter. The prince became the hunted fugitive in the heather, so well known to romantic legend. Ironically, the savage government repression after Culloden was as unnecessary as it was brutal. Ironically, the savage government repression after Culloden was as unnecessary as it was brutal. Many former Jacobites were only too willing to seek terms with the State. Within a relatively short time a large number of them were to be found serving the Hanoverians in a military capacity abroad. Jacobitism had been exposed by the '45 as no longer militarily viable. With the exception of a few half-hearted plots, it continued withering away. The Bonnie Prince died, a sad old drunkard, in Florence. His brother Cardinal Henry later effectively recognised the Hanoverians, although theoretically he maintained his own claim to the throne. Eventually admiration for Jacobitism was adopted, along with tartan, by the Hanoverians themselves as part of a general nostalgia for the good old days.

There could be no more telling comment on the decease of Jacobitism as a political force. Jacobite Risings (1688-1746) Jacobite Risings (1688-1746) The Glorious Revolution (1688) Top Surnames history Jacobite Risings The Jacobite Risings were a series of uprisings, rebellions, and wars in Great Britain and Ireland occurring between 1688 and 1746. The uprisings were aimed at returning James VII of Scotland and II of England, and later his descendants of the House of Stuart, to the throne after he was deposed by Parliament during the Glorious Revolution. The series of conflicts takes its name from Jacobitism, from Jacobus, the Latin form of James. The major Jacobite Risings were called the Jacobite Rebellions by the ruling governments. The "First Jacobite Rebellion" and "Second Jacobite Rebellion" were known respectively as "The Fifteen" and "The Forty-Five", after the years in which they occurred (1715 and 1745).

Although each Jacobite Rising had unique features, they were part of a larger series of military campaigns by Jacobites attempting to restore the Stuart kings to the thrones of Scotland and England (and after 1707, Great Britain). James was deposed in 1688 and the thrones were claimed by his daughter Mary II jointly with her husband, the Dutch-born William of Orange. After the House of Hanover succeeded to the British throne in 1714, the risings continued, and intensified. They continued until the last Jacobite Rebellion ("the Forty-Five"), led by Charles Edward Stuart (the Young Pretender), who was soundly defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. This ended any realistic hope of a Stuart restoration. Note: Profiles related to the The Jacobite war in Ireland (also called the The Williamite War in Ireland ) are included in the geni project Battleground Ireland. Add profiles to this project Add collaborators to this project Add Profiles

Question: Which battle of 1746 ended the Jacobite revolution?
Answer: Culloden